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Two Truths and a Lie book series

Recommended Ages

4th–8th grades

Nonfiction can feel dry to some kids, but turning it into a game changes everything. The “Two Truths and a Lie” series presents three short, fascinating stories in each chapter—two true, one false—and challenges readers to figure out which is which using clues, logic, and a reveal section at the end. Written by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson, the books blend science, history, and oddities in a way that practically begs to be read aloud. We love how they model fact-checking skills and encourage kids to question wild claims without losing their sense of wonder. They’re an excellent fit for roughly grades 4–8, especially for family book clubs or co-op classes. Some kids may want to race straight to the answers, but that’s easily redirected into discussion and internet sleuthing. Pro tip: after reading a chapter, have students create their own “two truths and a lie” sets about topics they’re studying to cement research and writing skills.

Curious kids around ages 8–12 who love weird facts, trivia, and puzzles; families who want to practice research skills and source-checking in a low-pressure, game-like way as part of science, social studies, or logic.

Pros

Engaging middle-grade nonfiction series where kids decide which of three wild stories is fake, encouraging research, fact-checking, and media literacy; the playful format, short chapters, and unbelievable facts hook reluctant readers, and the books are often recommended in secular and logic-focused curricula like Torchlight Level 2 and highlighted in reviews as a strong choice for homeschool read-alouds and media literacy practice. oai_citation:0‡Medium

Cons

The puzzle format can feel repetitive if you read large chunks at once, and older or very advanced readers may outgrow the difficulty quickly; some families note that cultural representation is limited and a few stories may be intense or gross for sensitive kids, so it works best when an adult is nearby to skim, discuss, and help kids do follow-up research. oai_citation:1‡pragmaticmom.com

As a trade book series sold through regular booksellers, purchases are usually made out of pocket or with general curriculum funds; many ESA and charter programs will reimburse approved book purchases, but eligibility varies, so check with your specific provider.

$9.33

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Two Truths and a Lie book series
$9.00 USD

Skills

What kids will learn
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Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
Science
Science
Social Studies
Social Studies

Two Truths and a Lie book series Mission

The mission of the Two Truths and a Lie series is to help kids become joyful fact-checkers by mixing bizarre-but-true science and history with one carefully hidden fib in every set of stories. By training readers to question sources, cross-check information, and talk through their reasoning with adults, the books aim to build critical thinking and media literacy skills that kids can carry into every subject.

Two Truths and a Lie book series Story

Authors Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson created Two Truths and a Lie after noticing that kids love weird facts but rarely get to practise spotting misinformation in a safe, playful way. They pitched a “nonfiction with a twist” series in which every chapter contains two true stories and one invented tale, plus activities that invite readers to investigate which is which. Since the first volume came out, the series has expanded to cover topics from animals to natural phenomena and is now widely used by teachers and homeschoolers as a fun gateway to research and skeptical thinking.

About Modular Learning

FAQ: Additional Details about Two Truths and a Lie book series

A typical session might find you curled up on the couch reading a chapter about bizarre animal adaptations or strange history; your child gasps, laughs, and tries to decide which story is too weird to be true. You jot the three claims on a whiteboard, then together pull up kid‑safe search results and library books to confirm or debunk each one before giving a dramatic reveal and celebrating with a quick sketch or mini‑presentation of the most surprising fact. 

Families use the Two Truths and a Lie series as a high‑interest nonfiction spine: each chapter gives kids three short, wild stories—two true and one made up—and invites them to guess the lie, then research in books or online to fact‑check their choice, building information literacy, skepticism, and research skills as they read. Families typically read one chapter at a sitting and use the free educator guides and STEM activities to extend the investigation into mini‑projects or writing prompts. 

This resource works best with active adult involvement—reading together, modeling how to vet sources, and guiding respectful discussion about evidence—though older tweens and teens can research independently and then share their findings back with you.

Best suited for strong readers roughly ages 8–13 who can follow short nonfiction passages and do basic online research; younger kids can enjoy it as a read‑aloud as long as an adult helps them navigate new vocabulary and search tools. 

These books mix real and fake science stories, inviting kids to investigate which is which, which is perfect for curious, skeptical, and gifted learners. Autistic and anxious kids may need reassurance that it’s okay not to know immediately and support in checking facts; dyslexic learners benefit from co‑reading the short, engaging pieces.

Because families typically buy this series through third‑party retailers (such as online or local bookstores), refunds and returns follow the bookseller’s standard policy rather than a separate publisher or Modulo policy.

Not ideal for kids who strongly prefer narrative stories over informational text, very sensitive readers who dislike surprising or slightly creepy real-world facts, or families looking for a linear, comprehensive science or history curriculum rather than a supplemental resource.

For deeper source analysis with older learners, consider Digital Inquiry Group’s free Reading Like a Historian lessons or Civic Online Reasoning modules; for narrative-style critical-thinking nonfiction, try series like History Smashers or Who HQ paired with simple fact-checking activities. oai_citation:2‡Civic Online Reasoning

The series currently includes themed volumes on living things, forces of nature, and histories and mysteries, and the authors continue to share #FunFactFriday videos and lesson ideas online so you can keep expanding the game beyond the books. 

Treat each chapter as a mini research challenge: have your child guess the lie, then spend 10–15 minutes together using kid-friendly sites or encyclopedias to verify, and keep a running notebook of “debunked” stories to revisit and expand over the year.

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Meet Ammi-Joan and Laurie

Ammi-Joan Paquette is a children’s author and senior literary agent who has published many books for young readers and co-created the award-winning Two Truths and a Lie nonfiction series. Laurie Ann Thompson is an author with a background in applied mathematics and software engineering whose work focuses on empowering young people to understand the world and become changemakers. Together they bring a blend of storytelling craft, STEM literacy, and advocacy for kid-led inquiry that makes complex ideas feel accessible and fun.